The blaze erupted about 5:30 a.m. in the 7600 block of Serene Avenue near Lee Road, said Lt. Chad Shaw, of the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office.

No injuries were reported.

Shaw said a passerby spotted the blaze and called 911. When firefighters arrived, they saw flames shooting through the roof. Smoke billowed into the sky and could be seen for miles as the firefighters battled the blaze.

Shaw said the 9,700 square-foot, two-story home was a total loss. The second floor collapsed during the blaze.

The homeowner had moved out of the house about a month ago, Shaw said. He said natural gas had been shut off at the house but the home may still have had electricity.

Shaw said investigators were trying to determine what sparked the blaze.